GRALLATORES. CDICNEMUS. 249 
Genus GADICNEMUS, Tzmu. THICK-KNEE. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bit rather longer than the head, strong, strait, depressed 
at the base ; the tip horny, hard, and compressed ; culmen 
of the upper mandible prominent, with the tip gently de- 
flected. Nasal fosse large and wide, covered with a mem- 
brane like a cere. Under mandible angulated, and ascend- 
ing towards the point. Gape of the bill extending back- 
wards as far as the anterior angle of the eye. Nostrils me- 
dial, longitudinally cleft as far as the horny tip of the bill, 
open in front, and covered in the back part by the membrane 
of the fosse. 
Wings of mean length, pointed, having the first quill 
shorter than the second, which is the longest in the wing. 
Tail wedge-shaped. 
Legs long, slender, with part of the tibiae naked above 
the tarsal joint. Tarsi covered with hexagonal scales. Feet 
three-toed, with all the toes directed forwards. Toes short, 
united at the base by a membrane, which is continued, and 
borders each toe. Nails short, slightly curved, with the 
inner edge of the middle one dilated. 
This interesting genus, established by Temmrncx for the 
reception of that species known in Europe, and of several 
others which late discoveries have produced to us from Af- 
rica, Asia, and New Holland, stands at the extremity of the 
present family, and serves to connect it with the Rasorial 
order, by its evident affinity to the Bustards, and other ge- 
nera of the family of Struthionide. Its intermediate posi- 
tion between the Plovers and Bustards is clearly pointed out 
by the station which earlier systematists have given to the 
European species (the only one then known), Larnam hav- 
ing placed it in the genus Otis, Lrynaus and others in that 
